“NHL was not what I wanted”: Malgin explains his decision for the ZSC Lions

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Denis Malgin is unpredictable on the ice – an agile striker who always surprises opposing defenders. He’s also good for surprises off the ice, as evidenced by his return to the Limmat with a new five-year contract under his belt.

“This news has surprised some people,” he notes with a laugh. “I was wondering if you or another journalist would cover the news before then.” The day after the announcement, Denis Malgin explains the circumstances of his return to Switzerland.

Blick: Did you receive a lot of messages after announcing your return to Switzerland?
Malgin from Dani: Oh yes, a lot. I received many congratulations. Some people were surprised, of course, but overall it was an encouragement and they wished me all the best for Zurich.

Do you understand the surprise of someone returning to Switzerland after a year in the NHL?
It’s normal for people to talk about this. So yes: I understand them. But in the end, it’s important that I feel comfortable with the decision. And this is the case.

Why did you decide to return to Switzerland?
I’ve now spent a total of five seasons in North America and experienced a lot in the process. In my last season I was able to show successes despite the circumstances. I started in Toronto before moving to Colorado. The ice age wasn’t always there, but I was able to score three times. I am satisfied with what has been achieved. At the same time, I realized that this was not what I wanted. I asked myself many questions, including whether it would make me happy enough.

Staying with Colorado wasn’t an option?
It was part of the process that led to my decision. I could have imagined staying in Colorado. On July 1, I became a free agent. I had received a few offers, but was not yet completely convinced. This inevitably makes you think. I thought about what I wanted for ten days. In the end I chose to think for myself.

You admit it: once at Lake Zurich you just didn’t want to leave …
(laughs out loud😉 I come back here every summer. Sure, my girlfriend and I feel comfortable here. It’s my home. I have my family and friends here. I wouldn’t say that was the reason for my decision, but the family aspect did play a role.

All the more so since you announced your girlfriend’s pregnancy on social media. Congratulations!
Thank you very much! We are very happy and know that our life will change. But it is not the only reason for this decision, which has long matured. There are a lot of NHL players who have kids and do very well with them. A number of factors led me to this decision. But saying no to the NHL is hard.

How did the decision come about? Did you wake up one morning with a certainty?
No, that was a process. Over the years, I’ve learned to live with some uncertainty in the NHL. That’s part of the deal. But it is certainly true that the long-term contract in Zurich makes me very happy. In the end, all I had to do was choose between the ZSC Lions or the NHL. I am relieved that it is now resolved.

In 2021, her last game with ZSC – game 7 of the final against Zug – was lost.
Yes, we definitely have an outstanding balance. I look forward to the chance to erase this loss and make the bad memory disappear. I had hoped for something different for my last game with the ZSC Lions.

Source : Blick